We were into bulls every day; saw several bulls in the 350-380 category.

SERVICE
RATINGS (excellent, good, fair or poor)

Quality
of Outfit:

Good

Guide/PH
Ability:

Excellent

Condition
of Camp:

Fair

Condition
of Equipment:

Fair

Quality
of Food:

Fair

Trophy
Care:

Name
of Airline:

Alaska, Northwest, Air West

Airline
Service:

Fair

Airline
Comments:

Hunting during WTC "bombings", two-day delay to get home.

COSTS

Hunting
Fees:

Amount:

$4200

Trophy Fees:

Amount:

$0

Permits/Licenses:

Amount:

$486

Commercial
Airfares:

Amount:

$595

Charter Airfares:

Rental Car for two days.

Amount:

$119

Other Costs:

Amount:

$0

Total:

$0

SUMMARY
REMARKS

Problems
of Hunt:

See comments.

Highlights
of Hunt:

Missed a 360 plus bull at 30 yards first day.

Equipment
Recommendations:

Good camo, portable blind.

Would You
Recommend This Hunt to a Friend?

Yes

Why?

Great elk hunting.

HUNTER
INFORMATION

Hunter
Name:

George McCoy

Contact
Information:

Tel. 907-783-2937 - Box 318, Girdword, AK E-mail: akbroker@alaska.net

Hunting Experience:

Western US, Africa, Alaska, Canada.

Physical Condition:

60 years old.

IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt)

Notified Outfitter?

Notified Personal Guide?

Notified Booking Agent?

Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide?

If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought?

ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL

Overall I was satisfied with this hunt. The guide is very competent, and there is an abundance of trophy bulls. Even though only one of four hunters connected, two others missed shots. Food was adequate, outfitter supplied more than adequate staples and preparation was marginal. In truth I think the cook was trying to get by with the bare minimum.

Lodging was in a private home on the main highway, about two miles from Magdalena. Guide provided transportation in a very old 4WD Toyota truck, but we had no problems. We hunted mornings and evenings and rested in camp during the heat of the day.

Guide did not have a spotting scope, so next time I

Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Ross Johnson Outfitter, Inc Hunts

Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.

I just returned from a hunt outfitted by Ross Johnson on the Acoma Pueblo five days super premium (three year waiting list) with six other experienced hunters. This was the first rifle hunt during the rut. Two bow hunts each with six hunters produced two bulls, one 300 point and one 350. Two of our hunters saw sub 300 bulls once. The others like me never saw an antler. The bulls were very scarce and very skittish and we saw on Saturday and Sunday up to four other rigs with local tribe members hunting in competition. Next year the hunts will be conducted by the Pueblo and Ross is gone. The Indians blame the dry weather but it was certainly greener and moister than it is now in Eastern Oregon, so I don't buy. I think they have been largely shot off. They picked up almost $100,000 for this five-day fiasco and I would not return, period, even if offered a free hunt which I was not. Only good point was the cook, Marguerite.

Only after numerous attempts to communicate with the Pueblo of Acoma do I feel it is necessary to write you regarding an issue that occurred this year. We have given the Pueblo numerous opportunities to address our concerns and they have ignored those requests.

We have been leasing the Pueblo of Acoma since 1995, and this year they ran tribal member archery elk hunts in the middle of our outfitted rifle elk hunts. Never before in our five years of hunting have any tribal hunts occurred while we were hunting. It was a breach of their written and verbal contracts with us to run these hunts during ours.

We expressed our extreme disappointment in correspondence faxed and delivered to the tribal council and business board immediately upon learning of this problem. We tried to meet with a representative of the tribe twice. We also tried to get into a tribal council meeting to stop the hunt and were denied. We immediately approached the problem from every angle we knew how. Neither the tribal council nor the business board acknowledged our concerns.

After getting no results from Acoma we met with legal council to see if we could stop the hunt or hold Acoma responsible for their actions. Acoma, along with any other reservation, is a sovereign nation and cannot be sued.

We are extremely disappointed in the Pueblo and feel they are responsible for interrupting the quality of our hunts. We had seen several Boone and Crockett bulls and the tribal hunts made it extremely difficult to hunt them.

Our mutual understanding with the Pueblo was that we would teach them how to eventually run their own hunting operation and it was agreed that they would begin to do so in 2001. We have upheld our verbal as well as written obligations by training guides and camp managers, and teaching tribal members about game management, advertising, conventions and sales. In return we feel they should have upheld their obligations to us by allowing us to complete our last year of hunting on the reservation without interruption. We are extremely disappointed that they failed to do so, and showed total disregard for our concerns and for our clients.

We have offered our apologies to those clients who hunted with us on Acoma and were affected by this problem.

Unfortunately after the incidences that occurred this year we question whether or not the Pueblo is ready to run its own hunting operation. The various factions within the tribe make it difficult, if not impossible, to control the hunting situation.

We have enclosed copies of our correspondence with the Pueblo during this years rifle hunts. We have also enclosed our 1999 biology report suggesting that the number of hunts be reduced. By no means are we biologists and we suggested numerous times that the Pueblo contract a professional biologist to perform a report for them. They did not do so and therefore we made our best effort at supplying them with information to show them that they needed to reduce the number of hunts.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

P.S. On a more positive note we did take a 404 bull for the NM governors hunter that you can see at www.gmfsh.nm.us

Since signing our contract with Acoma there have been a lot of changes. I have been asked to stop our flying in between hunts even though we have a permit to do so. This could result in unhappy clients plus it does not allow us to fulfill our contract with Acoma to survey the elk during the hunting season.

Secondly, we now understand that there will be a tribal bow hunt right in the middle of our rifle hunts. This WILL definitely make very unhappy clients. In the past Acoma has scheduled their hunts around the high dollar outfitted hunts.

These two things could and most likely will result in hunters wanting their money back and will most definitely result in a very bad name for Acoma.

I feel that there is a very high risk factor in putting bow hunters with rifle hunts which could result in a hunting accident or fatality.

Further more if hunters complain to Safari Club International and the Hunt Report I will pass the blame completely onto Acoma for changing previous hunt strategies in midstream.

I will also seek damages if for any reason I have to give money back to an unhappy client.

Also, I will not be responsible for the Acoma donated hunter, who paid $17,000 for the hunt you sold at auction.

I will not take the blame or fall for Acoma making this kind of a mistake. Acoma had decided to take over their hunting program and in the same breath just about ruined their chances of being successful.

We have built something very good for Acoma. We have a good reputation in the hunting world and do not intend to go down with Acoma if they run tribal hunts with high paying non-tribal hunters.

I do hope you will reconsider these issues, especially the bow hunt during our rifle hunt.

As we explained to you last night we had very serious problems with the first group of rifle hunters last week. We anticipate that we will continue to have very serious problems with the hunts beginning tomorrow if you do not remove all tribal individuals from the field before we begin. I regret that you will be unavailable to discuss this matter with us.

Again, we would strongly advise that you remove the tribal bow hunters from the field while our paying clients are hunting. Even this may not correct the situation.

Last week all but one of the rifle hunters left early and disappointed because their hunt was interrupted by tribal hunters, driving, camping, scouting, and bugling, in the areas they had been hunting in. Letters of complaint are beginning to arrive already from these clients.

The last five rifle clients will arrive today at 1:00 at the Sky City casino restaurant. We will be there to greet them and to explain that the tribe has chosen to run tribal hunts in the middle of their paying hunts and apologize for this fact.

I hope that a representative from the tribe will also be present to greet these clients, apologize, and offer suggestions as to how Acoma can correct the situation.

I don't think it is necessary to remind you that these individuals have paid $14,500.00 to experience a private land, quality hunt on Acoma. A hunt that for all intent has turned into a public land hunt that we have no control of whatsoever.

The following report is a summary of data collected over the past five years on the Pueblo of Acoma.

The data collected covers harvest information broken down into rifle, muzzleloader and archery elk harvests and antelope harvests. The information compares the number of permits issued, the number of harvested elk, and the corresponding success rates, which then provide overall figures. Evaluation of a 1999 harvest census including success score, and description provided the information for this harvest report. A 1995 through 1999 harvest graph compares the reports for the last five years of the 1999 harvest report.

Survey data is included in the report and includes a 1999 census of elk populations. This report lists bull, cow, and calf estimated populations and analyses the bull to cow, and cow to calf ratios. It also provides the percent of bull population harvested, and percent of herd replacement. Aerial and ground survey counts are provided.

Graphs comparing the elk harvests, success rates, average scores, and number of permits issued from 1995 to 1999 are included and summarized. These graphs form a very important overall picture in determining future harvests.

Incisor teeth have been sent to a laboratory for aging and some projections of those results and their very important meaning are provided.

A habitat study covering waters, feed, terrain, and grazing is given. This information is summarized and some recommendations have been given.

We are implementing a more detailed biological study and will continue to gather additional data. We will be surveying the calf crop in mid July and the bull population in early September. We will be doing a more intensive aerial survey where grid patterns are used and data is collected over a short period of time to avoid repetitive counts. We will continue to establish trends and perform censuses through surveys, graphing and aging.

From our studies of the 1999 and 1998 harvest reports and the harvest graphs (Number of elk Harvested and Average Scores 1995 through 1999) we have made the following observations:

Rifle Elk Harvest: The harvest of rifle elk peaked during1997 and 1998. A significant factor is the drop between the 1998 rifle harvest of 11 and the 1999 rifle harvest of 6, although the same number of permits (13) were issued both years. We also see a drop from a 90 percent success rate in 1997 to a 46 percent success rate in 1999.

Muzzleloader Elk Harvest: 1999 was the first year that a muzzleloader elk hunt took place. Five permits were issued and a high success rate of 80 percent occurred.

Archery Elk Harvest: The number of archery permits issued in 1999 (20) is double the number of archery permits issued in 1998 (10). Two bulls where harvested in 1999 versus three bulls harvested in 1998. We see a decrease in bulls harvested (1) with a increase in permits issued (10).

Overall Elk Harvest: The overall harvest success rate is 31 percent with the main harvest impact coming from the muzzleloader and rifle elk hunts.

Average Score: The average score of the elk harvested peaked in 1997 at 382 for rifle and 378 for archery. 1999's average score fell to 345 for rifle and 350 for archery.

Antelope Harvest: This hunt appears to be very consistent with two permits issued each season and a 50 percent harvest.

1999 HARVESTS AND SUCCESS-ELK

This information is listed in the following order: Date, Number of Permits, Number of Elk Harvested and Success Rate

The following data is listed in this order: Permittee; Success; Score; Description

Bryce Evans; No Brad Black; Yes; 82; Heavy 15 inches

1999 CENSUS REPORT

This census was taken from aerial and ground surveys throughout the year. These included a July count of cows and calves and a ground and aerial count taken in September when the bulls where in the rut and with the cows.

Records of an aerial survey taken in early July showed an approximate cow population of 225. Records show that most cows had calves at that time. This figure appears to be down from previous years when the census showed up to 300 cows with calves.

In addition, the number of bulls sighted during aerial surveys prior to the first hunt and during the year indicated that total numbers where down this season.

A possible explanation for this trend, this season, is the abundance of water and feed. The abundance of water and feed causes a greater disbursement of the elk making it more difficult to survey under those conditions.

From the study of data gathered through the aerial and ground observations we feel that the following figures represent the bull/cow/calf population:

Elk Populations Acoma has a relatively low population of elk (550-575 total bulls, cows, and calves) in comparison to other ranches and tribal lands in New Mexico and Arizona. It does have a very good bull to cow ratio (40/60) compared to other areas which is very positive.

Percent of Population Harvested An eight to ten percent population harvest will maintain the current population of mature bulls scoring in the 375 to 400 category. We are fairly certain that our age classing will show that the 375 to 400 bulls harvested this year where 8 to 10 years old. Note: An important factor that has not been calculated into this formula, and should be, is the number of elk harvested on tribal hunts. The total harvest of your bull population should only be 8 to 10 percent of your total bull population.

Herd Replacement A 86 percent calf crop is extremely good and points to a very productive cow population. Taking mortality and non-breeding yearlings into consideration we estimate a 76 percent annual herd replacement.

1999 ELK SURVEYS

The following data is listed in this order: Location; Date; Method; Bulls; Cows; Calves; Yearling

GRAPH-ELK HARVEST 1995-1999 This graph shows a steady increase in the number of bulls harvested from 1995 to 1999. This figure peaked in 1998 with a harvest of 14 bulls but 1999 was relatively close to that with the harvest of 12 bulls.

GRAPH-SUCCESS RATES 1995-1999 This graph shows a very small decline in rifle hunter success from 1997 to 1998 and a significant decline in rifle hunter success from 1998 to 1999. Success rate is difficult to analyze because so many factors come into play, and a change over a one-year period does not indicate anything significant. If lower success rates become a trend, a problem may exist.

Archery success reached a peak in 1997 and a success rate of 40 percent for archery is exceptionally high given the numbers of elk. The success rates of 20 percent and 10 percent will be typical of archery success.

1999 was the first year muzzleloader permits where issued and a success rate of 80 percent was reached.

GRAPH-AVERAGE SCORE 1995-1999 The average score of bulls taken is very important in determining if you are over harvesting your mature bulls. The average rifle score in 1997 was 382. In 1998 that figure fell to 366 and in 1999 it fell to 345. Archery scores have stayed more consistent with a peak in 1997 of 378, 340 in 1998 and up to 350 in 1999. So few bulls are taken with archery permits that an average score is difficult to use in measuring trends. The overall average score appears to be fairly consistent at 350.

GRAPH PERMITS ISSUED 1995-1999 This graph shows a steady increase in the number of permits issued. These figures peak in 1999 with a total of 38 permits being issued. The one factor that needs to be considered when looking at the increase in permits in 1999 is that only two bulls where harvested from the 20 archery permits issued. The archery hunt has very little impact on the resource.

AGE CLASSING

Incisor teeth where removed from each elk harvested during the 1999 season and have been sent to a laboratory for aging.

Age classing is a very important tool in determining harvest numbers. We feel that the age classing of the 1999 harvested bulls will show them to be 8 to 10 years old. If we are correct, and it takes 8 to 10 years to produce a bull that will score in the 375 to 400 category our percent of bull population taken" should fall within 8 to 10 percent of the total bull population.

The three most significant factors in determining harvest are aging, genetics, and feed. Results from aging take approximately three months.

HABITAT STUDY

From our study and observation of the area of elk habitat we can state the following:

Natural Waters: It has been reported that the mesa tops where the majority of the elk range have an abundance of water.

Manmade Waters: The working windmills and wells have been reported to produce sufficient water for the present elk population on drier years.

Feed: The existing natural feed appears to attract and hold a healthy cow population which draws bulls into the area during the rut period, in addition it supports a healthy cow/calf population for replacement.

Subscribed Burns: Our observation of the area and area maps shows that subscribed burns are not necessary in the areas of elk habitat. The areas are not heavily timbered and there are sufficient open meadows and grassy areas.

Cattle Grazing: Studies have shown that some grazing is productive for elk habitat. Acoma has already implemented a program of rotational grazing and there does not appear to be any negative effects from cattle.

Overall a healthy natural environment and elk habitat currently exists on Acoma. The existing environment has drawn a cow population that winters in the area. The bull population does not appear to winter on Acoma but is drawn into the area for the rut. Since the waters, feed and pasture appear to need little improvement we have few recommendations for change.

Recommendations: 1. Distribution of protein and mineral blocks.

2. While it is not necessary, food plots of triticale, a wheat hybrid, could be developed. Triticale is a dry land seed and food plots can be disked, seeded and fertilized with no further maintenance. Triticale would offer the cows a "different" feed, although plenty of feed currently exists

3. A more in depth study of the existing grasses could be done in the future, if this has not already been done by the range management of Acoma.

Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Ross Johnson Outfitter, Inc Hunts

Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.

Lots of experience. I've got 15 sheep of the world, over 100 animals of Africa plus most of the North American animals.

Physical Condition:

Darn good for 63 years old.

IMPORTANT
NOTES (actions taken if hunter unhappy with hunt)

Notified Outfitter? No

Notified Personal Guide? Yes

Notified Booking Agent?

Seeking any
kind of restitution or other settlement from agent, outfitter
or guide? No

If Seeking Restitution, What is Sought?

ADDITIONAL
HUNTER COMMENTS AND/OR OUTFITTER/BOOKING AGENT REBUTTAL

I recently returned from one of the most disappointing hunts I've ever been on. I thought I had booked with a class outfit with at least 50-50 odds of at least seeing a trophy class elk. No such luck.

The following is from my personal observation and discussion with the four guides that were in the camp I was in. I don't know what Ross Johnson's over all success rate is but I was told he books in the neighborhood of 100 elk hunts a year. It's also pretty well established that he takes a half a dozen plus or minus 400 point elk each year. What his overall success rate is I don't know.

However, the week I was booked to hunt with him in three camps; four hunters at his ranch, four hunters in Magdelena (where I was), and four hunters in Datil. My guess is these two camps are all about 20 miles apart so there was no crowding.

Of the above 12 hunters, one elk was shot and it was shot out of desperation for the meat only as no trophies had been seen. In my camp I saw one spike and three cows the first day of the hunt then never saw another elk. My roommate who was from San Antonio never saw an elk in five days of hunting. One of the other hunters from Utah never saw an elk and the fourth hunter saw some elk but no trophies.

I will say that everything else about the hunt was good to excellent, there just weren't any elk. Six thousand dollars for a five day walk in the woods is a bit steep. Was I ripped off? -- I don't know. I'm sure some of Ross's hunters took elk and probably comment of the area Ross chose for me.

My only advice is that hunters should be very wary of fancy brochures and big talk. I wish I had talked to some people who didn't shoot an elk with Ross.

In response to the letter you received from Jim Fero, Mr. Fero is absolutely right. We do not have the success rate that other outfitters have, but we harvest more Boone and Crockett to 400 plus bulls than any other outfitter we know of.

The type of clients that book with us are looking for a larger than normal animal, as Mr. Fero claimed to be, and they are fully informed that we do not hunt area with a lot of elk, but we hunt areas that have Boone and Crockett plus potential. If Mr. Fero was not looking for a B & C elk but was more interested in taking something home he would have been better off with one of the numerous outfitters who hunt large numbers of 250 to 300 type elk. Some of our hunts have a 350 minimum harvest size.

As to the hunt Mr. Fero was on. Weather was the primary factor that week. The last three days of Mr. Fero's hunt the visibility was so bad because of fog and rain that they could not hunt. I have enclosed a photo of three bulls killed that same week, same camp, same area, in 1997.

Mr. Fero should not speak about our other camps since he was not present in those camps and has no idea how they went. We harvested far more elk than Mr. Fero claims, had one client take a shot at a 390 to 400 type bull, and had considerable rebooking from our other camps in spite of inclement weather.

We have all of our clients come to our main lodge prior to going to camp. Between the time that Mr. Fero got to the lodge, shot his gun, and drove to his camp, the night before his hunt started; he had already made numerous comments such as "There are no elk here, and I am not going to kill an elk." Maybe the elk gods heard him!!!

We just returned from a Marlin fishing trip in Cabo San Lucas. The sea was to rough for us to go offshore and we had to fish Tuna the whole trip. I never got to even fish a Marlin. Do I have a complaint...No. That is just part of fishing and hunting isn't it.

I just returned from a Christmas Vacation and read Ross Johnson's reply to my hunting report submitted to you. I see nothing in this letter that refutes my report. I suggest you ask him for the name of one hunter who hunted during the period I did who shot a trophy elk. I suggest the results I provided you, zero for twelve was his success rate.

I have no problem with not shooting an elk. My only problem is that there were no elk to shoot at. I told Ross (at the SCI convention where I booked this hunt) and my assigned guide (Sonny), that I would not shoot at an elk they estimated to score less than 350 B & C points and would probably think twice at shooting an elk that they estimated would score from 350 to 375 B & C points. Ross is correct, I booked with him to hunt and shoot a big elk, not just any old elk and I was told by Ross that the odds of connecting on this kind of hunt were probabl6y 50-50, very acceptable odds for me. However, zero for twelve is a long way from 50-50.

Everything about this hunt with Ross was excellent except there weren't even any elk to turn down. As for Ross' comments about you should have been here last year when we shot "y" number of elk in that same area or the weather was the problem sounds to me like "Outfitting 101."

I fully admit I'm not a professional elk hunter but I do not have a 330 B & C point elk on my wall now. I booked with Ross expecting to at least see some elk, big elk preferably, knowing full well the odds of me shooting one were not great. My only disappointment was in the area Ross advised me to hunt in.

I'll be at the SCI show if you want to discuss this hunt further. I'm sure Ross and I will be talking. Thank you for your time.

Subscriber-Written Trip Report On Ross Johnson Outfitter, Inc Hunts

Below is one sample of such a Report which is made available to you FREE of Charge.

I had the opportunity to hunt Unit 17 for elk with a black powder permit, license number 072296, control number 42138, this past October. I was hunting with outfitter Ross Johnson, whom I had hunted with before and liked.

My complaint is that I believe if a state has a primitive (archery and/or black powder) hunting season, then there should be a primitive "transportation" restriction.

I believe every 4-wheeler in New Mexico was in Unit 17. We could not get close enough to any elk to perceive horn size with binoculars. This letter in no way criticizes Ross Johnson or his guides.

I have hunted for 35 year in North America and Africa and have never been more disappointed or irritated than I am about this situation.